Exports of jute products to rise despite concerns over quality

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SME Times News Bureau | 03 Aug, 2018

Exports of jute products are expected to grow over 10 per cent to cross the Rs 600 crore mark in the current financial year, said National Jute Board (NJB) Joint Director Susant Pal.

"The trend of exports, as well as domestic consumption of jute diversified products, including floor coverings, hand and shopping bags, wall hangings, decorative fabrics and others have been encouraging. Last year, the export growth of these products was less than 10 per cent and, in the current fiscal, the exports are expected to grow by over 10 per cent," Pal told a news agency.

According to NJB's latest data, the exports of value-added products stood at Rs 572.61 crore during the first 11 months of last financial year (2017-18), against Rs 590.95 crore in the entire 2016-17 fiscal.

"Taking the average monthly exports during the last fiscal, the shipment of diversified jute products was estimated to cross Rs 600 crore and in view of the continued trend, the exports are likely to be well above that mark in 2018-19," another NJB official said.

The data also suggested that products worth Rs 483.87 crore were shipped out in 2013-14 and this grew to Rs 562.4 crore in 2015-16.

The United Kingdom and the United States, together accounting for about 45% of India’s total jute export, have been the largest buyers of diversified Indian jute products.

In a bid to leapfrog the consumption of diversified jute products, particularly in the domestic market, the Centre has been emphasising on the use of technical jute textiles in large infrastructural projects like roads and river embankments, Pal said.